The Anthem Seating Chart
The Anthem is a concert hall at 901 Wharf Street SW in Washington, D.C., on the waterfront at The Wharf. It opened on October 12, 2017, and is run by I.M.P., the company behind the 9:30 Club. The venue says it holds 6,000 standing or 2,500 to 3,200 seated, and its stage can move to change the size of the room.
Quick answer
No. The Anthem has standing room on the main floor at general admission shows, but its FAQ says every show also has reserved Super Excellent Seats. Some shows are fully seated. The venue lists 6,000 standing, or 2,500 to 3,200 seated.
- Super Excellent Seats are reserved at every show.
- There are two balconies and 16 boxes.
- There is no re-entry.
- Kids 2 and up need a ticket.
Planning a dinner at The Wharf before a show? Seat 30 guests at 5 tables free, no signup.
Sections at The Anthem
The Anthem has a main floor and two balconies, with boxes on both balcony levels. The section names and seat counts below are read off the venue's 2021 tech specs and seat maps.
- Main floor — standing room at general admission shows, or removable seats for seated shows
- Tier A — a raised riser at the back of the main floor, by the sound board
- First balcony — Tier B Super Excellent Seats, Tier C and Boxes 1 to 8
- Second balcony — Tier D and Boxes 9 to 16
Best seats at The Anthem
We found no official best-seat guide. The venue's FAQ says every show has reserved Super Excellent Seats, even general admission standing shows. Its 2021 seat maps label Tier B on the first balcony as Super Excellent Seats. The New York Times reported that the balconies are angled toward the stage. When a show is fully seated, its event page says so.
Tips before you go
Backpacks, luggage and bags larger than a small purse are searched and must go to coat check, which charges a fee. There is no re-entry once you're inside. Shows are all ages unless posted, and children 2 and older need a ticket. The bars take cards and mobile pay, and the venue prefers that lines form no more than an hour before doors.
How to read the The Anthem seating chart
At fully seated shows, the 2021 seat maps count 3,254 seats: 1,993 on the main floor, 698 on the first balcony and 563 on the second. With the stage pushed forward, the count drops to 2,324.
The 2021 seat maps label Tier B on the first balcony as Super Excellent Seats, and in 2017 the Washington Post also described the box seats that way. They are picked up on the day of the show, with an ID that matches the ticket. Boxes 1 to 8 are on the first balcony and Boxes 9 to 16 on the second, read off the maps.
Elevators reach all public floors, and step-free entry is at 900 Maine Avenue and at an access entrance on Wharf Street. At general admission shows, the venue holds space to seat guests who need it if they arrive before the headliner. Free listening devices are at the first-floor coat check with a valid ID.
Building a seating chart for an event at The Anthem
The building cost $60 million and covers 57,000 square feet, the Washington Post reported in 2017, with seven bars across three levels. The Foo Fighters headlined the opening, and the venue's site says the Marquee Bar balcony is open during every show.
Hosting a private event at The Anthem?
Sketch your The Anthem event in minutes — rounds for dinner service, rows for the presentation, a head table where it belongs. Up to 500 seats per layout, finished as a print-ready PDF the Washington event team can work from.
Open the seating chart generatorFrequently asked questions
- Is The Anthem standing room only?
- No. The Anthem has standing room on the main floor at general admission shows, but its FAQ says every show also has reserved Super Excellent Seats. Some shows are fully seated. The venue lists 6,000 standing, or 2,500 to 3,200 seated.
- What are the best seats at The Anthem?
- We found no official best-seat guide. The venue's FAQ says every show has reserved Super Excellent Seats, even general admission standing shows. Its 2021 seat maps label Tier B on the first balcony as Super Excellent Seats. The New York Times reported that the balconies are angled toward the stage. When a show is fully seated, its event page says so.
- What sections does The Anthem have?
- Main sections include: Main floor — standing room at general admission shows, or removable seats for seated shows; Tier A — a raised riser at the back of the main floor, by the sound board; First balcony — Tier B Super Excellent Seats, Tier C and Boxes 1 to 8. Full breakdown in the sections list above.
- Where is The Anthem located?
- The Anthem is at 901 Wharf Street SW, Washington, DC 20024. L'Enfant Plaza and Waterfront Metro stations are each four blocks away. The Wharf's free shuttle stops on Maine Avenue, but its posted weekday hours end at 7 p.m., so plan to walk to the Metro after a show. The Wharf's three underground garages often fill on show nights.
- How do I plan a private event at The Anthem?
- For private events, the venue lists a seated dinner for 1,200 or a cocktail party for 3,000. Plan your event's tables at The Anthem in our free chart maker.